L.A. screenings soirees sizzler

Studios offer chances to swing with new show stars

By ELIZABETH GUIDER

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Bart Soepnel, VP Acquisitions for SBS, gives Lesley Drukker, VP Scandinavia and Benelux for Universal Studios Television Distribution, a lift at Universal's 'The Mummy Returns' gala screening and party last Thursday.

 

It wasn't just nonstop viewing sessions for the 1,000 foreign TV buyers who hit town last week for the annual L.A. Screenings. The event is the first occasion overseas station buyers have to assess -- and perhaps buy? -- some of the upcoming series that the U.S. nets will air this fall.

The Hollywood majors, who are the main distributors of these shows around the world, wined and dined buyers throughout the week in the hopes it would help loosen their pursestrings.

Disney, Paramount, Fox, Universal, CBS and NBC-MGM all hosted events at which buyers got the chance to mix and mingle with stars from the new shows as well as studio execs.

Paramount opened it gates to 1,000-plus guests May 23 for its annual on-the-lot extravaganza in which writer-producers like Steven Bochco and talent such as Alyssa Milano mingled with buyers.

Fox too hosted a soiree May 22 followed by a screening of its film "Moulin Rouge," while U treated buyers to cocktails and a screening of "The Mummy Returns" on May 24.

Disney entertained early arriving buyers May 20 at Disneyland Adventure in Anaheim, while CBS and MGM, which now represents NBC-owned product abroad, both hosted pours at the W Hotel.